-1I looked out the window at the backed up traffic. It was already close to noon and I had managed to sleep till now. I made a mental note never to go out late with Alice then allow her to come over and dress you for your big day out with your client slash love of your life.
The good part that came from the late night and early morning? Well other then looking fantastic when he picked me up, there hadn't been any talking due to my sleeping. Of course we had said hi and had some small talk but then I'd conked out. Good thing for sleepiness.
"Hey sleepyhead," Edward said as he realized I was awake. I rolled my eyes at the name. I'd always had the nickname because I grew tired so easily. "Did you know you still talk in your sleep?"
I groaned. Of course I know I talk in my sleep. Now that late night early morning combo didn't sound so appealing. Which could be worse? Idle chit chat with Edward or my sleep talking? I'm pretty sure the latter of the two.
"Yeah. I hope I didn't say anything to embarrassing." My face took a look of pain and Edward laughed his melodious laugh. If I hadn't been racking my brain to think of what I had dreamed of then I probably would have smiled and felt a little bit more of my heart break. Thank God for distractions.
"Nothing too embarrassing. I did learn however that you are still friends with Alice and Jasper. Even though you did sound scared when you screamed fashion zombie." His laugh grew louder and my own joined his.
"I'm still her "Bella Barbie"," I said while using my fingers as air quotations. I liked this conversation. It was easy and made it seem like we could really put things in the past.
"I'm pretty sure you will never get out of being Bella Barbie. She's like a kid at Christmas with you. How is Jasper doing?" Edward asked as he expertly switched lanes on the busy San Francisco freeways.
I'd forgotten that he had lost touch with Jasper after he had left. The only people he had kept in touch with was his brother, Emmet, and his soon to be wife, Rosalie. The thought of Emmet made me a little sad. He had been like an older brother that Edward had stolen from me. Rose, on the other hand, had been alright. I'd never talked to her unless I was with Edward so the loss of her was easily recovered.
"Jasper's doing good. I'm sure you know he's a big shot now? C.E.O. of Whitlock Charity. He popped the question to Alice last year and they plan on being married by next year. And of course I'm Al's wedding planner."
"Well of course you are. What's the point of your best friend being a prominent wedding planner if you can't use her for your own personal gain?" Edward tapped some buttons on his GPS and glanced at the grim look on my face. "I was just kidding. Lighten up."
I looked out the window and bit my lip. Maybe back then I would have taken it as a joke. Maybe if back then things had been different, then we'd be traveling to see the place we'd be getting married in. Maybe we'd be the one's with a life plan. I shook my head gently and reminded myself I had to remain professional. Well at least somewhat professional.
"Why didn't you want to pick my up at my office? It normally is the protocol." I was still wondering why so I figured why not.
"I told you last night, Bella. It would be easier on me." He sighed and I watched his perfect chest rise and fall. Even though his perfection was holding my eyes on his chest, I didn't accept his answer as the full truth.
"I don't think that's the answer, Edward." I stressed his name and finally took my eyes off of him and glanced at his GPS. I watched the little red line swerve trying to find a shorter route. I cheered the little GPS on in my head, hoping that this ride would be over soon before it took a turn for the worse.
"Well that's the answer whether you like it or not."
He always thought he was right. He never thought twice about what someone else felt. Actually I don't think he cared.
"Wow isn't this déjà vu," I muttered under my breath. A glance at the clock showed that we had another 25 minutes to be at the Legion of Honor. 25 more minutes of a tension filled car.
"Excuse me?" Damn I forgotten about his bionic hearing. He'd always caught me back then saying stuff.
"I just mean you always say stuff and when your asked what it means, you just blow it off and say it is what it is." I picked at the hem of my black shirt. I didn't really want to argue with him. I just wanted to look at the Legion and then go home and crawl into my bed.
"And you've always tried to find a deeper meaning in stuff. Some stuff is as blunt as it looks. You just always think you have to decipher every word into a million different little meanings. Some things mean what they say," he said in a cold voice. A voice that sent shivers down my spine. I suddenly felt cold in the air conditioned car.
How was this going from a normal client conversation into a heated debate? I didn't need this right now. I needed to prevent the argument from happening.
"How much longer to the Legion of Honor?" I asked hoping he would just forget the last five minutes of heated conversation.
He glanced at his GPS and said matter of factly, "We'll be there in ten minutes." I'd also forgotten how fast he drove. He'd always been somewhat of a speed demon.
Somehow the next ten minutes flew by in somewhat comfortable silence. And I stared as we came to park in front of the Legion of Honor. It by far is one of the most beautiful places in San Francisco and also one of the most sought out places for a wedding. My eye caught the replica bronze statue of The Thinker. This museum was amazing.
"Mr. Cullen!" a petite woman came off to greet us. "I'm Jane. We spoke on the phone."
"Yes, yes. It's great to finally meet you." Edward said graciously as he kissed the back of her hand. Always a gentleman he was. Esme had raised him correctly.
"Felix is around here somewhere I'm sure. But how about I give you the grand tour." Jane quickly asked.
"I think that sounds good," I said using my professional voice. It's funny to think I have a professional voice, but I can be timid at times. Especially around Edward.
"You two are going to make a terrific couple. I could just tell as you entered this room that you two were madly in love." Jane commented as she grabbed folders for us to look at while we walked.
"We're--" I began to say before Edward cut me off.
"Just so excited for our wedding. And you know that she's excited to become the Edward Cullen." He replied as he snaked his hand around my waist and smiled at the woman.
"Edward what are you doing?" I snapped in his ear, but quietly enough that Jane would not hear.
"Having some fun," he said as he grabbed my hand as we walked behind Jane listening as she pointed out important details.
I couldn't concentrate. The touch of his hand was making my body go on fire. Even after all these years he was the only one who could do this to me.
The tour which seemed like it took eternity finally ended an hour ago with Edward telling her we'd get back to her. The whole tour had involved him holding my hand, snaking his arm around my waist, and once picking me up newlywed style. I wish this day didn't have to end. The tour yes, but not this day. I knew as soon as we hit the car and road again, our little act was gonna hit the fan.
A/N: No worries readers, Bella is not going to forgive him anytime soon. The next chapter will be a fight though which I'm looking forward to writing. Otherwise this chapter was a little dry but it helps us get to the good parts faster. Please R&R! Much love, LilD